Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike An early morning attack by suspected herdsmen on Monday left several people dead and others critically injured in the Yelwata area of Benue State. According to local sources, the assailants opened fire on farmers, killing three and leaving three more in critical condition with gunshot wounds. The incident triggered a protest by women in the community, who accused soldiers of failing to respond promptly to the assault. In anger, the protesters blocked the federal highway linking Benue and Nasarawa states, demanding that troops be withdrawn from their area. Former government official Matthew Mnyam confirmed the killings in…

By Atoyebi Nike Human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has endorsed Peter Obi’s proposal for a single-term presidency, arguing that prolonged time in office has not translated into real progress for Nigeria. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Farotimi criticized former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as current President Bola Tinubu, for failing to deliver substantial change despite having years in power. “Obasanjo had eight years; what did he do with it? Buhari had eight years; he ruined Nigeria. Tinubu has had two years, and he is taking us back 50 years. It’s not…

By Atoyebi Nike Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) has welcomed 25 young engineers and geologists from eight African countries to its Lagos offices as part of the Africa Young Professionals Programme. The visitors, attending the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE 2025), learned about SNEPCo’s deep-water operations, including the landmark Bonga field project launched in 2005. SNEPCo executives highlighted the company’s investments in talent development through scholarships, training, and the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), which currently hosts 28 interns from 17 Nigerian universities. Participants described the visit as “engaging and…

By Atoyebi Nike U.S. President Donald Trump has called for the swift removal of homeless individuals from Washington, D.C., saying they will be relocated far from the nation’s capital. In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump shared photographs of roadside tents and litter, declaring, “The homeless have to move out immediately. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the capital. The criminals, you don’t have to move out; we’re going to put you in jail where you belong.” The president also referenced an upcoming Monday press conference on crime and cleanliness in the U.S. capital,…

By Atoyebi Nike Ibom Airlines Limited has barred a passenger, identified as Comfort Emmanson, from using its services after she allegedly assaulted multiple crew members and security staff during and after a flight from Uyo to Lagos. The incident, which occurred on Sunday and was captured in a video circulating online, reportedly began when Emmanson refused repeated instructions to switch off her mobile phone before takeoff. According to the airline, she complied only after another passenger intervened but then launched into a verbal outburst. Upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson allegedly confronted the flight’s purser, tearing off her wig and glasses,…

By Atoyebi Nike MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited says prolonged outages in parts of Enugu are linked to “code coverage conflicts and related glitches” that have hampered efforts to separate the state’s electricity network from other areas served by its parent company, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). The company made the disclosure on Sunday, following a meeting with the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), which was convened to address supply disruptions to Bands B-E and difficulties customers face in purchasing electricity units. MainPower also tied the reduced supply to the recent cut in Enugu’s Band A tariff from ₦209/kWh…

By Atoyebi Nike An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City late Sunday killed seven people, including at least four journalists from Al Jazeera, in what the network denounced as a targeted attempt to silence coverage of the war. Among the dead was correspondent Anas Al-Sharif, a prominent reporter who had documented the conflict from inside Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces accused Al-Sharif of leading a Hamas cell, a claim he had repeatedly denied, calling himself an independent journalist committed to “reporting the truth.” Fellow journalist Mohammed Qreiqeh and photojournalists Ibrahim Al Thaher and Mohamed Nofal were also killed. The Committee to…

By Atoyebi Nike People entering or leaving the UAE through Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or Ras Al Khaimah with valuables worth more than 60,000 dirhams ($16,300) must now declare them online in advance under a new customs rule aimed at tightening border controls and curbing illicit financial flows. The regulation, enforced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security, applies to anyone aged 18 or above carrying cash, jewellery, precious stones, or other high-value goods. For minors, a parent or guardian must submit the declaration. Instead of filling out forms at the airport, declarations are now processed through…

By Atoyebi Nike The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says genetically modified foods are safe for consumption when they meet established safety standards, while urging transparent labeling to help Nigerians make informed choices. Speaking on Channels Television, NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye explained that the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) oversees GMO safety checks, with NAFDAC working closely alongside it before granting market approval. She stressed that products should clearly state if they are genetically modified, just as organic foods are labeled. Adeyeye said proper labelling allows consumers to choose what they eat, adding that without…

By Atoyebi Nike Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, joining countries such as France, Spain, Norway, and Ireland. The decision, a reversal from earlier statements, hinges on Palestinian Authority commitments to exclude Hamas from governance, disarm Gaza, hold elections, and end payments to convicted attackers. Albanese said the PA has pledged to respect Israel’s right to exist in peace and security. The move follows weeks of domestic protests and cabinet pressure. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ambassador Amir Maimon condemned the decision as undermining peace and rewarding…